This year’s fifth annual Young league-tag carnival will introduce a change in format. The pre-season tournament will be played on a single day on Saturday, March 2, rather than the knockout stage and finals being played on a Sunday morning. All teams will still be guaranteed at least three games, with sudden-death games beginning about 2.30pm in the afternoon. The final is expected to be played about 5.30pm, however times may change depending on the number of teams that nominate. READ ALSO: Fires and floods: emergency services kept busy on Friday According to organiser Jess McInerney, recent carnivals have attracted on average 12 teams from across NSW and the ACT. She said the event was established to give the Young league-tag side an opportunity to have a proper hit-out and bonding session before the Group Nine regular season kicks-off in April. “The idea of the carnival came about four years ago. The girls were struggling and a lot of players didn’t really know how to play. This pre-season carnival provides an opportunity for players to have a run around and it gives the girls a chance to get together and have a bit of fun before season,” she said. Teams from Campbelltown, Nowra, Albury and Bombala return each year while a number of sides from Canberra are regular supporters. This year’s event is again on track to feature about 12 teams. READ ALSO: Schofield competes at Bradman Cup “It’s progressed a lot. Goulburn are looking to join this year so we could get more,” Jess said. Young is aiming to improve on its fifth place finish last year with a number of new faces joining the Cherryettes in 2019. “We have a big pool of juniors coming up so this carnival will be used more as a bonding session for all the new players,” Jess said. “It’s always a good night, a lot of teams use it as a bonding session as well as a pre-season hit out.” Entries close on Friday, February 22.

According to organiser Jess McInerney, recent carnivals have attracted on average 12 teams from across NSW and the ACT.

She said the event was established to give the Young league-tag side an opportunity to have a proper hit-out and bonding session before the Group Nine regular season kicks-off in April.

“The idea of the carnival came about four years ago. The girls were struggling and a lot of players didn’t really know how to play. This pre-season carnival provides an opportunity for players to have a run around and it gives the girls a chance to get together and have a bit of fun before season,” she said.

Teams from Campbelltown, Nowra, Albury and Bombala return each year while a number of sides from Canberra are regular supporters.